Tamperproof and burglarproof shield for locks, latches and the like



Oct. 18, 1966 A. BARONE TAMPERPROOF AND BURGLARPROOF SHIELD FOR LOCKS, LATCHES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 28, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 LL a Oct. 18, 1966 A. BARONE TAMPERPROOF AND BURGLARPROOF SHIELD FOR LOCKS LATCHFS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28, 1964 INVENTOR. flWY'HO/YCP' EHEQNZ HYTQE/l S"? United States Patent 3,279,840 TAMPERPROOF AND BURGLARPROOF SHIELD FOR LOCKS, LATCHES AND THE LIKE Anthony Barone, 264 W. 71st St., New York, N.Y. Filed Sept. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 399,589 4 Claims. (Cl. 292-346) This invention relates generally to door lock accessories. More specifically it relates to burglar resisting devices for locks and the like.

It is generally well known to those skilled in the art that burglars and other unauthorized persons can successfully force open a lock of a door by inserting a strip of celluloid between the door and door jamb and forcing the bolt to become disengaged from the opening in the strike plate mounted upon the jamb. It is well known that such strip of celluloid is flexible enough to be brought around fairly square corners (if such be present, such as where moldings are mounted to close the crack between the door and jamb). Such strip of celluloid may be of relatively thin gauge and can sometimes be fitted into a crevice between the molding and jamb, whereby the burglar can attain a straight line contact with the bolt, thus avoid going around corners. Furthermore although such celluloid strip be readily flexible and of thin gauge it will transmit pressure in an edgeways direction when it is fitted in a narrow crevice such as exists between a door and jamb. Thus easy introduction of such celluloid strip into such crevice permits violation of most conventional locks.

Accordingly it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a tarnperproof and burglarproof shield as an accessory to a lock or latch having self contained means to prevent a burglar or other unauthorized person forcing the lock.

Another object is to provide a tamperproof and burglarproof shield for use with a lock or latch and which will prevent the insertion of a celluloid strip into the crevice between a door and jamb to slide a bolt into unlocked position.

Still another object is to provide a burglarproof and tamperproof shield which will not in any way interfere with the normal operation of a door or door lock.

Other objects are to provide a burglarproof and tamperproof shield which is simple in design, inexpensive to produce, rugged in construction, easy to install and effi cient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily apparent upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the invention shown mounted on a door jamb,

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view thereof as seen from the protected area when the door is opened away,

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view through 33 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the shield in operative position, and

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view thereof.

Referring now to the drawing in detail the numeral represents a tamperproof and burglarproof shield for locks, latches, and the like according. to the present invention wherein there is a singular body member 12 of generally angle-shaped configuration and which is formed from a flat metal plate which is preferably of strong steel. The body member 12 comprises a pair of flat panels 14 and 16 at right angle to each other and having a longitudinal bend 18 therebetween. The panel 14 serves as a mounting base for the device as it is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced apart openings 20 for receiving mounting screws 22 therein when mounting the device upon a door jamb 24.

3 ,279,840 Patented Oct. 18, 1966 As is shown in FIGURE 4, it is to be noted that the jamb 24 includes a vertically extending timber or board 26 and a vertically extending molding 28 either integrally formed or mounted thereupon. An internal corner 30 is formed by means of the board and molding into which the radially outward end of a pivoted door 32 may be moved for locking position. The jamb has a striker plate 34 mounted thereupon by means of screws 36. An opening 38 in the striker plate is in alignment with a carved out opening 40 in the jamb. The door is provided with a lock (not shown) which has a sliding bolt (not shown) which in a locked position slides outward from the edge 42 of the door and into the openings 38 and 40. The shield panel 14 has a notch 44 therein to expose the openings 38 and 40 to the lock sliding bolt.

A plurality of closely spaced openings 46 arranged along a singular row are provided on panel 14, the row of openings being located between the notch 44 and the bend 18. A plurality of screws 48 extending through openings 46 are threadedly affixed into the jamb board 26, thereby preventing any celluloid strip gaining admission between the jamb and panel 14 to get past the adjustable screws 48 and contact the bolt locked within openings 38 and 40. Bolts or rivets may be used instead of screws 48. The panel 16 is provided with a row of closely spaced openings 50 struck therein, the row of openings being located parallel and relatively close to the bend 18. The openings 50 are struck so that they have a ragged edge 52 that protrudes outward from the flat face 54 of the panel which forms one side of a corner respective to the panel 14. When the door is in locked position, the face 56 of the door is in abutment with the ragged edges 52, the openings thereby preventing insertion of a celluloid strip past the ragged edges. Attempts to insert a celluloid strip or other card past the ragged edges cause the strip or card to become chewed up without gaining admittance therepast.

In operative use the shield is mounted on a jamb as shown in FIGURE 4 and when the door is locked, access to the bolt is prevented from the outer side of the door. Attempts to insert a strip or card between the jamb and panel 14 will be prevented by the row of screws 48. Attempts to insert the same between panel 16 and the front face 56 of the door will be prevented by the ragged edges of openings 50.

Thus a simple and effective device is shown to foil an intruder or burglar from opening a lock.

It is understood that this invention can be applied to all type of locks, latches and the like. While various changes may be made in the detail construction it is understood such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as is defined in the appended claims.

The following advantages are claimed by the applicant for his invention:

(1) The shields can be applied on either right hand or left hand doors.

(2) In addition to celluloid and flat tools, knives, screwdrivers and crowba rs will find an impediment in his device.

(3) The shield is especially effective in protecting doors having a wide space between the door and jambs.

(4) That should the stop strip bead be ripped off, the shield will still prevent a break-in, because the two rows of holes and screws etc. act as second and third protectors.

(5 The shields can be used for any single doors whether of wood, metal or the like. They can also be used for the following: gates, cabinets, closets etc., with slight changes.

(6) The two rows of holes and screws etc. of the shield are optional for some doors, for instance, when shield is used for dead locks and double doors, the holes and screws are not necessarily needed, but for most locks and doors which have a wide space, between the doors and jambs the holes are necessary.

(7) The holes and screws etc. can be used as stoppers by substituting the following: rivets, screws, nails etc.

(8) The cutting of the shields for the clearance of the strike plate is also optional, for instance for double doors it is not essential.

(9) As to the wording burglar-proofing this means that the shield will protect 100% these parts: (1) space between the door and jamb; (2) lock (dead cylinder); (3) tongue of lock; (4) door; (5) jamb.

(10) The shield not only protects against burglarly, but especially prevents it.

Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a shield for looks, latches and the like the combination of a singular body member comprised of a pair of longitudinal panels, said panels being at right angles to each other in an L-shaped configuration, said panels being integrally formed together with a longitudinal right angle bend therebetween, one of said panels having means to be mounted upon a door jamb, said one panel having means to prevent insertion of any flat object between said panel and said door jarnb and the other said panel having struck means formed to extend toward a door front and to prevent insertion of a flat object therebetween and the door front adjacent thereto.

2. In a shield for looks, latches and the like, the combination asset forth in claim 1, wherein said means to prevent insertion of any flat object between said panel and said door jamb comprises a purality of openings arranged in a singular row, said openings being spaced rela- 4 tively close together, said row being parallel to said bend, and a plurality of screws extending through said openings for being mounted to said jamb, thereby preventing insertion of any fiat object therepast.

3. In a shield for locks, latches and the like the combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means to prevent insertion of any fiat object between the other said panel and a door front adjacent thereto comprises a plurality of openings in said other panel, said openings being arranged in a singular row, said openings being spaced relatively close together, said row being parallel to said bend and each of said openings having an upstanding ragged edge, said ragged edge being upstanding upon the side of said other panel which is at right angles to the first said panel. 7 V

4. In a shield for locks, latches and the like the combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein the first said panel has a notch therein, said notch providing a clearance for a door lock bolt to pass therethrough.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 975,675 11/1910 Buniiller 292346 1,091,453 3 1914 Fletcher. 1,215,384 2/1917 Kline 292-346 1,727,323 9/ 1929 Bartlett -1 292346 2,255,860 9/1941 Riedel 292-346 .X

FOREIGN PATENTS 571,621 3/ 1959 Canada.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner. R. E. MOORE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A SHIELD FOR LOCKS, LATCHES AND THE LIKE COMBINATION OF A SINGULAR BODY MEMBER COMPRISED OF A PAIR OF LONGITUDINAL PANELS, SAID PANELS BEING AT RIGHT ANGLES TO EACH OTHER IN AN L-SHAPED CONFIGURATION, SAID PANELS BEING INTEGRALLY FORMED TOGETHER WITH A LONGITUDINAL RIGHT ANGLE BEND THEREBETWEEN, ONE OF SAID PANELS HAVING MEANS TO BE MOUNTED UPON A DOOR JAMB, SAID ONE PANEL HAVING MEANS TO PREVENT INSERTION OF ANY FLAT OBJECT BETWEEN SAID PANEL AND SAID DOOR JAMB AND THE OTHER SAID PANEL HAVING STRUCK MEANS FORMED TO EXTEND TOWARD A DOOR FRONT AND TO PREVENT INSERTION OF A FLAT OBJECT THEREBETWEEN AND THE DOOR FRONT ADJAZCENT THERETO. 